Translation & Interpretation

Admission to the Conference Interpretation, Translation, Translation and Interpretation, or Translation Localization Management programs is based on a candidate's prior academic record, professional experience and language proficiency.

A student interpreter in action.

Admissions Requirements Overview

Language Proficiency

We recognize that all of our students have developed sophisticated language skills. Terms like "native-speaker," "fluent," or "bilingual" often do not accurately reflect their rich linguistic backgrounds.

Applicants to the translation and interpretation programs must have native or near-native proficiency in English and at least one of these languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. We recommend that you have a minimum of six months of in-country experience using your second or third language. Most candidates come to the Monterey Institute with at least two years of in-country experience.

All applicants must take an Early Diagnostic Test (EDT), which is a self-administered exam that consists of two translations, an abstract, two essays, and an oral assessment recorded in the applicant's language. To request a copy of the EDT, please email admit@miis.edu and specify the language.

Non-Native English Speakers

Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of English proficiency from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations.  Institutional TOEFL reports are not accepted.

If a candidate has completed all four years of high school and their undergraduate degree in the U.S., they may be eligible for a waiver to waive their TOEFL/IELTS exams. Candidates will be asked to provide transcripts from those institutions.  Please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.

Minimum TOEFL Scores Minimum IELTS Scores

  • Internet-based test: 100
    Test of Written English: 23
    (No sub-score below 19)
  • 7.0 Overall
  • 7.0 Listening and Reading
  • No Sub-score below 6.5

Language Categories

This program classifies languages according to the International Association of Conference Interpreters guidelines. Your first language [A language] and second language [B language] are active languages. Translators work into their A and B languages, and interpreters work into these languages in both simultaneous and consecutive modes of interpretation. Our students must have English as an A or B language.

You may also work with an optional third language [C language]. The C language is a passive language from which the translator or interpreter will work into the A language. Students may pursue A/B/C combinations for the MA in Translation and the MA in Conference Interpretation. Working with three languages for the MA in Translation and Interpretation will require more than two years of instruction.

Standardized Test Scores

Graduate Record Examination

GRE scores are not required. However, applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit them because they may positively influence merit scholarship awards. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores for admission consideration. Please use our four-digit institution code [4507] to send us your scores.

Advanced Entry

We offer Advanced Entry opportunities to select students who meet our general admissions requirements and already hold a Master's degree from a recognized translation and interpretation program and/or have significant professional experience.

For admission to our nine-month translation and interpretation programs, you must also:

  • Fulfill general admissions requirements, including excellent performance on the Early Diagnostic Test
  • Demonstrate preparedness by passing second-year entrance exams in their course of study

Please demonstrate your qualifications with a portfolio, including a complete list of employers and professional references. Once admitted, advanced-entry students must complete 30 credits at the Monterey Institute.

Additional Preparation

Not all students accepted into this program have sufficient proficiency in their B or C languages. In such circumstances, we may suggest supplemental coursework prior to joining the Translation and Interpretation programs as a prerequisite to enrollment. In certain cases, students may also require a third year of instruction to pass our comprehensive professional examinations.

Read about the ten ways you can prepare for our Translation, Interpretation and Localization Management programs. If you still have questions about language requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us.